BHP Billiton Ltd., the world's largest mining company, said the loading of coal ships remains halted at its Hay Point terminal in Australia's Queensland state because of high seas and wind. Shipments may restart this afternoon.

The last ship loaded was late on July 22, and strong winds and high seas continue to prevent loading, Emma Meade, a spokeswoman for Melbourne-based BHP, wrote in an e-mail.

``We're continuing to monitor the conditions but we hope to be fully operational at Hay Point by this afternoon,'' Meade said. ``We only have four or five ships waiting to load and we're not expecting any interruption to customer deliveries.''